May 5: Weekly Reading- Teaching on Giving to the Needy; The Selfless & Insight Post by Kim Feld

  -   May 5, 2025

Give with a Pure Heart: Jesus teaches that when we give to the needy, our actions should not be motivated by the desire for public recognition or praise. True generosity comes from a pure heart that seeks to please God, not to gain attention from others.

Monday Verse

You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully. 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NLT)

Monday Questions

When I give to others, do I seek recognition or am I motivated by love and a desire to serve God? How can I cultivate a more genuine spirit of generosity?

Monday Insight Post
by Kim Feld

In this week’s reading, Jesus discusses the power of generosity when done in a selfless way. When we give but then want others to know the details, the spirit of generosity can be lost. This is another instance where our motives matter—am I giving because I want to be a blessing, or am I giving because I want some kind of recognition or praise?

I have been blown away time and time again by the generosity of the New Hope community. Through your giving, people’s tangible, life-impacting clean water and food needs have been met. Children and teens have been able to go to school with the supplies they need to do well. People in desperate need have received help and hope. I could keep going, but my point is that you may never meet the person who benefited from your generosity, but Jesus knows. One of the things I envision about heaven is hearing the stories of how God stirred the hearts of His people to reach out in a massive web of interconnected pieces to bring people to Himself. Our current vision is so limited, but we will see the whole plan laid out one day. I can’t wait!

It’s easy to look at someone like our friend and yesterday’s speaker, Tom Eggum, and think that God could never use us to impact lives like he has. But the truth is, God can do amazing things with anyone who allows themselves to be used. Each one of us has the potential to make a significant impact. God can take a little and multiply it exponentially, turning our small acts of generosity into life-changing blessings for others.

One thing I’ve found about generosity is that God always gives me back way more than I gave. He has an endless supply and loves to give good gifts to His children. I can never out-give God.

Has God put someone or some project on your heart that could give your generosity muscles a little workout? There are countless opportunities around us to be generous every day. When we actively seek these opportunities and give with a free heart, expecting nothing in return, we please our Father, the most generous of all. Let’s be proactive in our generosity and make a difference in the lives of others.

Kim Feld
Executive Director of Education and Outreach

New Hope Church
Lorton, Virginia
www.newhope.org